Green Bay Packers: Chris Simms Has Baffling Take On Jordan Love Vs. Malik Willis
The NFL offseason is barely underway, and the hot takes are already flying. Quarterback Malik Willis has resurrected his career with the Green Bay Packers and this has made him one of the hottest free agents on the market. Many teams looking for a quarterback are clamoring to sign the former third round pick. For some, Willis is seen as a bridge QB. Others think he could be a franchise cornerstone.
Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Chris Simms recently stirred the pot with a take that has heads spinning across the league. In a conversation that defied conventional wisdom, Simms suggested that pending free agent Malik Willis might actually have a higher ceiling than Green Bay’s current QB1, Jordan Love.
Green Bay Packers: Chris Simms Wild Take
During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Chris Simms didn’t hold back his praise for Willis. The football world knows Willis as the former Tennessee Titans draft pick who struggled early in his career before finding new life as a backup in Green Bay. Simms, however, sees him as much more than a reclamation project.
“I think Malik Willis is a superstar,” Simms said. “I would think he is the crowning gem of guys that’s going to be out there as far as free agents you can get.”
That alone is high praise, but Simms took it a step further by directly comparing Willis to Jordan Love. While admitting he is a fan of Love, Simms argued that the gap between the two is narrower than anyone realizes.
“I’m not going to say he’s better than Jordan Love right now,” Simms clarified. “I will say he shows more potential to be a greater player than Jordan Love. That’s what I would say right now, but I’ve got to see a little more before I say he’s better.”
Simms pointed to Willis’ “special arm” and “special mobility” as reasons for his high ceiling. It is a bold claim, especially considering Willis has only started six games in his entire career.
The Tape Doesn’t Lie: Willis Was Efficient
To be fair to Simms, Malik Willis was spectacular in his limited opportunities with the Packers. After being acquired for a late-round pick, he stepped in when Love was injured and played efficient, mistake-free football.
In his two seasons with Green Bay (2024 and 2025), Willis’ numbers in relief were staggering. He posted a passer rating of 134.6 across 11 games (three starts). During the 2025 season specifically, he completed nearly 79 percent of his passes, threw six touchdowns against zero interceptions, and averaged a whopping 10.9 yards per attempt.
Those are video game numbers. When he filled in during Weeks 16 and 17 of the 2025 season, he looked poised and dangerous, combining deep-ball accuracy with the ability to scramble for big gains. He proved he belongs in this league, and he likely earned himself a massive payday in free agency because of it.
Why Jordan Love Is Still the Franchise
While the Malik Willis hype train is moving full speed ahead, we need to pump the brakes on the idea that Green Bay has the wrong guy starting under center. Flashy efficiency over a small sample size is great, but sustained success over a full season is what defines a franchise quarterback. And Jordan Love has delivered exactly that.
Jordan Love isn’t just “good enough”; he is playing at an elite level. In the 2025 season, Love finished fifth in the entire NFL in passer rating. He threw 23 touchdowns against just six interceptions, showcasing improved decision-making and accuracy (66.3 percent completion rate).
More importantly, Love is a winner. He has led the Packers to the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. He tied for third in the NFL with four fourth-quarter comebacks in 2025, proving he can deliver when the pressure is highest.
There is a massive difference between coming off the bench with a limited playbook against teams preparing for someone else, and being the guy defenses spend all week scheming to stop. Love has faced that pressure every week for three years and has consistently produced top-10 quarterback numbers.
He also showed grit. Love played through injuries, including a shoulder issue, and never used it as an excuse. His ability to run the full offense, make complex reads, and lead the team through adversity is why he commands a massive salary cap number and the trust of the locker room.
The Packers Have Their Guy
Chris Simms’ take adds some spice to the offseason, and it certainly helps Malik Willis’ agent as they head into free agency negotiations. Willis has undeniably improved and deserves a shot to start somewhere in the NFL. He has the physical tools that scouts dream about.
But potential is a dangerous word. Jordan Love is realized potential. He is a proven commodity who operates Matt LaFleur’s offense at a high level. The Packers have their guy, and while Willis was a fantastic insurance policy, there is no quarterback controversy in Green Bay. The only question now is which team will pay up to see if Simms is right about Willis being a superstar.
